Today marks the 11-month anniversary of when Hurricane Ian changed the lives of those on Sanibel Island forever. The size and scope of the storm were unprecedented. With 155 mph winds and up to a 12-foot storm surge, the island was left unrecognizable.
It has been a long road back — filled with an extensive list of hurdles from insurance companies, cleanup crews, lack of utilities, permitting, contractors, supply chain issues, et al — but we are delighted to report that we are making solid progress.
Eleven months later, it feels as though we’re picking up the pace, as well!
Sharing photos of our current roof replacement work, along with our efforts to rebuild the carport structure and storage units. Also underway, we’re working on soffits, stucco, entry doors, windows, sliders, lanais, and air conditioning. Big projects for this upcoming fall include elevators, stairways, and beach access pathways. Following another round of moisture testing, we hope that drywall will be completed by the end of the year, allowing owners to start customizing their units.
We still have a ways to go, but it feels great to be among the island accommodations who are making good progress. A handful of lodging establishments have re-opened, and the SanCap Chamber is reporting 75 restaurants and attractions that are now welcoming back visitors. For a complete list, click here.
Many of our guests-turned-dear-friends have come by to say “hello” while supporting those businesses that have re-opened. Andy was thrilled to be able to continue his tradition of taking an annual photo with Cheyenne M. from Decator, TX. Her awesome family has stayed with us at least twice a year for almost two decades. Her first photo with Andy was as a little one in August of 2008. She’s since grown into a remarkable young woman, now working as an equine therapist!
P.S. Today is Andy’s birthday! Please join us in wishing him the best — He is without a doubt “Mr. Ocean’s Reach” and no-one has worked harder these past eleven months to get our treasured resort back up and running!
Thank you for these updates.
Can’t wait to visit again.
Happy birthday, Andy!
Happy Birthday Andy!
Thank you so much for sharing this awesome progress. Sending continued prayers and love.
Happy Birthday Andy!! Thanks for the positive update, pictures and good vibes as to progress being made. We miss you and the others who have always made Ocean’s Reach the “place to be” during our Florida retreats….. Many HUGS and best wishes — looking forward to being back soon! Jim & Diane, Estes Park, Colorado. ❤️❤️
Happy Birthday Andy. We miss you all. Glad to see progress in the rebuild. Tom abd Glenda Addington
Happy birthday Andy. Thanks for all you do for OR and the whole Sanibel community. Kurt and I stayed at Island Inn in March. It was lovely, but there is no place like Oceans Reach. We can’t wait to come back as soon as it is ready. We did a few drive bys when we were on the Island. Even though OR was battered and torn, she still gave off the warm vibes we always felt when we stayed there. Take care and enjoy your special day, Andy.
Kurt and Kathy Kaiser
White Bear Lake MN
Happy birthday Andy!!
Indiana…hope to see you next year!!🌴🐬
Happy Birthday Andy🎂We hope you have a great day ❤️🎈Ann and Pat
Cheers to a Happy Birthday, Andy!
Happy birthday, Andy!! I hope you have a really great day and thanks for all you and your fellow workers at Oceans Reach are doing to create the wonderful spot we’ve visited so often. We can’t wait to come back!!
Sherrye and Justus
Baltimore, MD
Awesome! So happy to see the progress. Can’t wait to visit and stay there in our summer happy place.
Happy Birthday Andy! You deserve a great celebration. I last saw you 9.27.22 when you moved the patio furniture into the dining area in preparation for hurricane Ian. My husband and I were sadly packing to adhere to the Mandatory Evacuation which reduced our 14 day vacation to 8 days. We look forward to returning to beautiful Ocean’s Reach in the near future. Thank you for all of your hard work to restore that slice of Heaven! 🐚🥳
Happy Birthday Andy!
Happy birthday Andy! Can’t wait to get back to see all the friendly faces at Oceans Reach. Have a wonderful birthday. Go Red Sox!
Happy Birthday Andy! We miss you all and our beautiful OR and Sanibel. We have stayed with you since 1985 and can not wait to return to our belongings beloved island. You are in our hearts and prayers. Thank you for your updates and all your hard work! Margaret
Happy birthday Andy
We visited the island last weekend from our permanent home in the Tampa Bay area, and were thrilled to see the progress since our last visit in March. All of the roadside debris has been removed and many homes and businesses alike have made great strides in putting things back together and starting to show signs of life again. While we weren’t able to find accommodations on the island, we were able to find a hotel at nearby Ft Myers Beach and came to Sanibel for a nice lunch at the Blue Giraffe, and a fantastic dinner at Doc Fords, as well as a stop for drinks and a picturesque sunset at the Mucky Duck in Captiva. We were also able to sneak a peek at the progress being made at Ocean’s Reach, our favorite place to stay on Sanibel. We are amazed at the progress already made, and can’t wait to book our next stay, hopefully in the not too distant future! Until then, keep up the great work, and God bless you all! And a very Happy Birthday to Andy!!
Andy,
Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 & a fun celebration!
Such wonderful & fun memories of time spent at Ocean’s Reach shelling, time spent on the lanai looking out over the beautiful beach!
Thank you for restoring & making it even better than it was!
Gratefully,
Nancy M.
Happy Birthday Andy! Can’t wait to visit you and the crew in person!!
Keep up the good work and wish everyone the best!
Have a great day-
Happy Birthday Andy!!
It’ll be wonderful to see you all again!
Love seeing the progress! Can’t wait to come back to Oceans Reach and Sanibel!
Thank you Andy for all your hard work and dedication to seeing the restoration project through and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU!
Happy birthday Andy🎉🎂
Hi Lisa! Good to see your smiling faces. I’ll be staying in the towers on the other side of the causeway in December. I will come by and see you. Keep up the good work. Laura Stenburg
Happy Birthday Andy!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDY!!! You look the same as you did when I first met you in 1991.
Havea great day and know that all your hard work to reopen Ocean’s Reach is greatly appreciated.
Happy Birthday Andy. !!! You are such a champion for Oceans Reach. Can’t wait to return to our beloved, one and only place to stay on Sanibel . It’s the best place ever to come to vacation.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDY! Thanks for all you and your team have done to make Ocean’s Reach the highlight of my family’s year for many years. We can’t wait to rejoin you and appreciate your diligence in restoring our beloved vacation home.
Blessings to you!
The Don Manley family
Happy Birthday to Andy and best wishes for many many more! : ) from Kevin & Cathy Shomo
Happy Birthday, Andy! So happy to hear about the progress being made at Ocean’s Reach. We are praying for continued success for all of Sanibel and Captiva, and look forward to returning soon!
Happy Birthday Andy!!! Keep up the great work. The LARGAY’s from Maine!
Happy birthday to Andy 🎉🥳
Happy Birthday Andy!! We are so thankful everyone with Oceans Reach was safe after Ian but heartbroken at the devastation Mother Nature caused!! One day me and my family will return to celebrate the renewal of this paradise and you all. Please stay well & be safe from the storms again threatening.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANDY !!!! Many HAPPY more !!!
From Penny and Richard Wildman
and our daughter Catherine and husband Tristan Bogan
Happy Birthday, Andy! Wishing you all the best. We are looking forward to coming back to Oceans Reach.